Vatican Affirms Obligation of Feeding Tubes -- Terri Schiavo's Family Welcomes Clarification
While I and many others understood JPII's statement, it seems that somt still wanted 'clarification'. Well, they now have it. Wonder how those who 'just don't get it' will try to get around THIS statement?
God bless!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
TERRI'S NEWS ALERT
September 21, 2007
Vatican Affirms Obligation of Feeding Tubes
Terri Schiavo's Family Welcomes Clarification
VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 14, 2007 (Zenit.org) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith clarified that the administration of nutrition and hydration to people in the so-called vegetative state is, with rare exceptions, morally obligatory.
The document and accompanying note, released today and approved by Benedict XVI, came as an answer to questions presented to the Vatican by the U.S. bishops in 2005.
The questions were sent just months after Florida woman Terri Schiavo, who was living in a vegetative state after having sustained brain-damage, died 13 days after having her feeding tube removed.
Schiavo's estranged husband requested that her feeding tube be removed, but her Catholic parents said this would constitute murder. After years of legal battles, a judge decreed that the tube should be removed.
Edward Furton, ethicist and director of publications for the Philadelphia-based National Catholic Bioethics Center, told ZENIT that the Vatican statement "speaks directly to the Terri Schiavo case, stating flat out that the removal of food and water from her was not the right thing to do."
He added that the statements "are a reaffirmation of John Paul II's 2004 statement which calls Catholics to provide food and water to patients in PVS [persistent vegetative state]. It affirms that food and water are ordinary care and not considered medical treatment."
Read Entire Article:
Read Press Release From Terri's Foundation:
View this news alert online:
Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation
5562 Central Avenue
Suite 2
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
727-490-7603
http://www.terrisfight.org
The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, Inc., (TSSF) is a non-profit group dedicated to ensuring the rights of disabled, elderly and vulnerable citizens against care rationing, euthanasia and medical killing. Incorporated in 2001 to fight for the life of Terri Schindler Schiavo, the clear focus of TSSF now and in the future is to help others avoid future tragedies that reflect what Terri endured.
posted by WI Catholic @ 9/22/2007 11:58:00 AM
2 Comments:
While I don't feel this issued needed calrification I am glad the Vatican did it so that people could no longer claim they did not know where the Vatican stood.
I agree with you. I don't think it needed clarification, either. But...there ARE some who claim that they 'still don't get it'!
Now the arguments come from the opposite direction, too, including the ridiculous statements of a doctor who had nothing to do with JPII's medical care, and never saw his medical records getting into the act.
Food and water, air and shelter, including clothing are necessities, not extraordinary no matter how it is delivered.
God bless!
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